Thoughtful Thursday: Finding a work/life balance

I am going to just come out and admit it: I have not found achieving a work/life balance easy. It's not that my hours have been that bad (well, not for a City lawyer) but I have found it really difficult to adjust to working a long working week and also achieving my down time AND play time. Often it's left me feeling exhausted and moody, and I know I've ended up taking it out on those around me (sorry James, I know I'm a grumpy cow but I do love you.)

I feel like 7 weeks in I am finally starting to get the hang of it, and therefore I thought I'd offer my little tips to you all in case you're finding it hard too. I know every job isn't the same as mine, and the challenges must be very different for people who work from home, but everyone needs a break right?

1. Don't OVER plan I made the big mistake in my first few weeks of making booked-up plans for my evenings and weekends. It meant that when I actually got around to those plans I was so tired I actually saw them as more of a chore than a treat! I'd recommend always scheduling in some 'down time' during the week, where you just don't put anything in the diary. I spend that time having a relaxing bath, reading a magazine, blogging or even painting my nails. One of my favourite things to do on a Sunday morning is lie in bed with James and drink tea and eat digestives, and I don't ever want to give that up!

2. Exercise It sounds silly, and also quite unappealing (who wants to gym it at 8pm?) but exercise actually really relaxes you and releases endorphins. It means you usually sleep better, feel healthier and you have some time away from the desk and everything else stressful. Even if it's a brisk walk, it's better than nothing.

3. The 'one hour before bed' rule This is the thing I find most difficult, because at heart I'm a night owl. But it really is sensible to try and switch off from everything at least an hour before bed. Put your blackberry down, turn the laptop off and just relax. Read a good trashy novel, listen to music or sit with your flatmate and have a giggle. It makes going to sleep much easier and often means a better night's sleep.

4. Talk This seems basic, but talk to those people around you. When I'm having a bad day at work I usually pick up my phone and send James/my Dad/my girlfriends a text and their positive, supportive response keeps me going. A problem shared is a problem halved!

5. Prioritize Ultimately, we can't all do everything we want all the time. There just aren't enough hours in the week. Therefore there comes a point when you realise you simply can't do everything, and some things just have to come first. It's not a bad thing, but it's working out what really makes you happy and doing those things. It means being a bit selfish, which actually I struggle with! Therefore, I've made my priorities seeing James, arranging a few fun girly things with my flatmate and closest girlfriends, keeping in regular contact with my family and blogging (aside from work obviously.) I'm now much happier!

So there you have it. My ramblings on how to achieve a bit of balance when work gets a bit crazy. I'd be interested to hear any of your tips on how to keep the balance, as I'm still very new to all this!

Pay Day Treats

So for most of us pay day is just around the corner and I thought I'd treat you and show you a few beautiful things to spend your hard-earned cash on. I plan to make all of these things mine by the end of Feb (Mum, if you're reading this, I'm sorry, one day I WILL save!)



First up are these loafers from River Island. I always tend to gravitate towards cheap flats from Primark, but find that they fall apart within a couple of weeks. I wish I could wear heels all the time at work but sometimes it just isn't practical, so some smart, comfy, good quality flats are a great investment.

Anyone who's anyone will have seen the Charlotte Tilbury make-up range when it launched. Ever since, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the Dolce Vita eyeshadow quad. It is so unnecessary, but so unbelievably beautiful. It must be mine.

I'm on the look out for a new bag. I love my Zara City bag, but some days on the packed tube in the morning I regret having what is practically a suitcase on the end of my arm. I love the mixture of leather and suede and the shape (Celine trapeze anyone?) and I just know I'll get so much use out of it. This is a definite weekend purchase.

The picture definitely doesn't do this justice, but I am absolutely dying to get my mitts on this white leather tee from Topshop. I love anything leather, and I think white leather looks so chic and expensive. I'm definitely a 'jeans and tee' girl at heart, so an interesting variation on the standard t-shirt is always a win in my books.

Finally is this dress from Missguided. I've wanted something in pale blue for a while, and as soon as I saw this dress I knew it had to be mine. I love that it has a sexy low V, yet also has lace to keep it feminine, cute and girly. Perfect with a tan (not that I'll be getting one of those any time soon.)

So there you have it, my pay day picks. What are you lusting after? What should I be adding to my never-ending online shopping basket?

London Fashion Weekend

So again someone needs to slap my wrist at my lack of blogging. It's not a real excuse, but life has just seemed to fly by and I hardly find time to do my washing let alone sit down at my laptop and blog. Working in a city law firm definitely has its challenges! However, I've got a little treat this evening, as yesterday I headed over to Somerset House with my flatmate for an afternoon of London Fashion Weekend.

Now I've never had the privilege of going to LFW. I follow enough blogs to know that people wear sunglasses when it's raining and their coats over their shoulders without their arms in (seriously, why?) but going to London Fashion Weekend is the closest I can get to going, so when I saw tickets advertised I thought, why not?



I decided to keep my outfit pretty minimal but smart (I had 25 minutes to get ready as I spent too long eating brunch. Oops.) I wore my cobalt blue blazer coat from Primark, my trusty leather trousers from River Island, a grey slouchy dipped hem top from H&M, my Zara city bag and my black lace up chunky boots from Primark. I decided you can't go to anything fashion-related without wearing a heel.

First up, the discounted designer stalls. We did see some incredible shoes, bags and clothes at a massive discount, including these GORGEOUS glitter slipper shoes which I couldn't stop looking at. I'm quite a non-fussy dresser so accessories like that really attract me.



I also absolutely loved the stand of accessories at Her Curious Nature. Everything was so girly and feminine, and one day I WILL be brave enough to rock a turban.



Katie also tried on some pretty 'out there' Prada sunglasses from the Sunglass Hut...



We also managed to catch a talk with Grace Woodward (stylist on X Factor and judge on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model) who spoke about breaking into the fashion industry. Whilst she spoke about the glamorous parts, she also importantly made everyone aware that not everyone can make it, and she herself has only just managed to get a mortgage and has no pension. Definitely food for thought (though I think we'd all still secretly love her job.)



Lastly was the 'Trend' catwalk show. We saw 'Precious Metals,' 'Flower Power,' 'Elegant Lace' and 'Good Sport.' Below are a few of my favourite looks I managed to capture. I loved seeing all the bright colours on the runway, as I've definitely had enough of Winter dressing. Bring on the bright florals!



All in all, it was a really fun afternoon. I would definitely recommend going if you want a little taste of what it must be to be a 'real' fashionista. Sigh, we can all dream right?

WWBWD?

A few days ago I stole my boyfriend's password to Netflix. I was browsing the different TV series I could watch, and was torn between a few I'd heard such good things about. However I then stumbled across Gossip Girl. It's fair to say I've got back into the show in a MAJOR way (It's getting to the point where I don't want to leave the flat.)

I've always been a big Blair Waldorf fan. Not just for her fierce, cutting one-liners (to Dan - 'I wouldn't usually go this near you without a tetanus shot') but also for the way she dresses. In fact, I've become a bit obsessed with the prim and proper look she's always wearing. So when putting my outfit together I asked myself 'WWBWD?' (What Would Blair Waldorf Do?')

I put together an outfit (below) which I'm absolutely in love with. Again Miss Selfridge are bringing it with this coat (the bows are very Blair.) I've wanted a checked collared dress for ages, and this one is an absolute steal! Knee high socks are a cute twist on tights, and the loafers from Office are gorgeous, so wearable, and even in the sale. It would be a crime not to have them. The bag and the hat are just the perfect finishing touches.



So what do you think? Are you a Serena or a Blair fan?

Best of Boots

First of all, I have to own up to the fact that I haven't stuck to my NY resolution to blog. In fact, I've been an absolute fail. The truth of the matter is, moving into a new home and starting a 55 hour a week job has kind of taken it out of me (not mentioning the fact I didn't have internet for the first 2 weeks of January in the flat. I know, it was hell.) However, I have given myself a slap on the wrist and am back on the blogging scene, this time with a few of my favourite beauty products from good old Boots.



I am a firm believer that you don't have to spend a lot on make-up to get a flawless look. The problem is that amongst the gems there are also a lot of useless products. Therefore, it's all about doing your homework and buying something to suit your skin-type/colouring.

First up, I have got back into using the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation in a MAJOR way. I have the shade 54 which is perfect for me. It provides great coverage, and has a kind of 'sheen-y' finish so your skin looks glowing without being shiny. I then use my Garnier roll-on eye concealer. I have to admit, I wasn't that fussed about this when I first got it, but I actually find it so brightening around the eye area, and it's really light so doesn't feel 'caked on.' Now I'm up early every day it's an absolute staple!

Now comes my Holy Grail item - the Sleek Face Contour Kit. Now I know this is kind of cheating because you can only get it from Superdrug, but oh god, I can't even describe my love for this product. Even writing about it gets me excited. The bronzer is the perfect contour/all over 'I've just been to Spain and I'm sun-kissed' shade. The powder is really fine and there is SO much product. I took this to Thailand with me, and Katie managed to have an accident and smash it all over the floor (it wasn't pretty.) I don't know how I survived without it - my face felt lost. Anyway...the highlighter and blusher are also beautiful, although the blusher has a lot of shimmer so you don't need both (unless you like the glitter-ball look - who am I to judge?)

Now I'm not a big blusher-wearer, but this MaxFactor cream blusher has converted me. I love cream products because I have dry skin, and I think they look more natural. This one literally transforms my face. I look more awake and my skin looks so much brighter. It also weirdly makes my eyes look more blue, which is never a bad thing!

For eyes I love the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze.' It's a beautiful colour, and once you leave it for 20 seconds it really does set and stay all day. I swatched it for my Mum in Boots yesterday and she even swooned and added it to her basket! As for mascara - there's only one. Maybelline The Falsies. Perfect voluminous long black lashes without wearing actual falsies. Need I say more.

Lastly, I'm loving the 'Notting Hill Nude' lipstick from Rimmel. Now it's Winter and I'm paler it's the perfect nude shade for me. The formula is quite moisturising, and it's a great 'handbag' shade i.e. you can throw it on and not worry you look like a clown.

So there you have it, a few of my top picks from Boots. There are SO many more products I could rave on about so keep your eyes peeled for more posts. In the meantime, what are your favourite Boots treats? I've got some points to spend...